Standard disclaimer applies.
Chapter 2: Their Morning
"Good morning Daidouji," Eriol said as he began to walk with Tomoyo to school.
"Good morning Hiiragizawa," Tomoyo replied. Tomoyo wondered briefly how Eriol always managed to make their morning walk together always look accidental. She would turn around a corner and then Eriol would be walking beside her but it never seemed that he has been waiting for her.
"Someone looks like they didn't get enough sleep," Eriol observed. He noticed the dark rings around Tomoyo's eyes and she is even paler than usual.
"Gee, thanks for that," Tomoyo said sarcastically. She kept tossing and turning last night thinking about the roses and the letter. Damn those roses and that poem, no matter how lovely it was, Tomoyo thought.
Eriol laughed a little. "I didn't mean it like that. You, of course, look your usual beautiful self, but it's quite obvious to anyone that you didn't get enough sleep. Is there a problem?"
"Thanks," Tomoyo mumbled.
"You know you can always tell me anything."
"Not for that. For calling me beautiful," Tomoyo said, blushing slightly. She's so flattered that her sour mood disappeared with the compliment so carelessly thrown her way.
Even though Eriol intended it to be a casual flattering remark he couldn't help but be pleased with himself. It's not everyday that someone could make Tomoyo Daidouji blush.
When they arrived at school, Tomoyo and Eriol went to their separate lockers. Tomoyo saw another lavender rose in her locker but no letter. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She wished that her 'secret admirer' would leave another poem for her. She wouldn't admit it, but reading the poem made her feel special.
After Eriol got his things from his locker he went to Tomoyo's locker and they walked to class together. If Eriol noticed her sudden gloomy disposition, he didn't mention it. They walked to class in comfortable silence.
Tomoyo wondered if Eriol knew how grateful she wass to Eriol for walking with her. When she was with Eriol, the upperclassmen who have been asking her out can't go near her.
They have been asking her out, ever since her first day as a freshman, and they wouldn't accept no as an answer. There was a time that it got so bad that Tomoyo resorted to staying in the rest room until Sakura arrived. Tomoyo knew that they don't really like her. They just see her as a conquest. Who can make the Daidouji heiress fall in love? A challenge no once has ever succeeded, not even close.
As Tomoyo and Eriol entered their classroom, they saw that Li was already there. As usual, Syaoran Li is very early at school. A habit that is yet to be pick up by Sakura.
"Good morning Li!" Tomoyo greeted.
"So how's my cute little descendant?" Eriol asked Li.
Tomoyo couldn't understand why Eriol likes calling Li his 'cute little descendant.' It's not like he really is Clow Reed. He is only half of the reincarnation of Clow Reed. And the other half is Sakura's father. But Fujitaka doesn't go around calling Li his 'cute little descendant' whenever he saw him.
Maybe it's because Li made the mistake of showing Eriol how much he hates it. And Eriol always jumps at the chance at infuriating Syaoran.
And why did it always have to be little? It's not like Syaoran is small. He's actually taller than the average guys. Maybe Eriol just like rubbing it to Li that he is two inches taller than him which she knew for a fact something that bothers Li.
Li glared at Eriol but Eriol just smiled his innocent smile.
After spending one week with him, Tomoyo had already noted his different smiles. There is the innocent smile, when he tries to get out of something, the polite smile, the amused smile and there's also the smile just reserved for Sakura. It's the way a father would smile at his daughter. The way Fujitaka smiles at Sakura and sometimes also at her. The way her own father used to smile at her.
But there are also times, Tomoyo noticed, that his smiles never reached his eyes. As if he is remembering something really sad. Tomoyo understood that. Sometimes, even with the company of friends, our past still gets to us. There were also times when she felt like that.
Bothered by this sudden thought, she tried to push it out of her mind, tucked away and examined later. Maybe not.
As Li got ready to answer him, no doubt in some very colorful offensive language, Sakura arrived just in time to defuse the situation.
"Good morning," said Sakura, seemingly oblivious about any tension between the two boys. Tomoyo saw how Syaoran lit up as Sakura ran to him and kissed him on the cheek. And Syaoran promptly blushed. He never disappoints. Until now, he was still uncomfortable with public display of affections, even a simple kiss on the cheek. By now, any anger towards Eriol was completely forgotten.
The teacher timely arrived at this moment, cutting any comment that Eriol might say to further embarrass Li.
And this was how they've been spending their morning since Eriol arrived.
Eriol thinks Tomoyo is beautiful! And he told her!! (grins!) And Tomoyo Daidouji blushing?? )
I know, a little boring towards the end. I just want to offer some kind of perspective on their relationships with each other.
Is it too bad?? Hope it's okay! Don't forget to leave a review. Even a simple smiley will suffice. Thanks! The next chapter is much better! I promise!